Modafinil is a prescription medication primarily used to promote wakefulness. It is often prescribed to treat sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Unlike traditional stimulants, modafinil is considered a wakefulness-promoting agent and is thought to have a lower risk of dependence. Modafinil is commonly prescribed to help people with narcolepsy stay awake during the day. It is used as an adjunct treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness in people with obstructive sleep apnea, particularly when CPAP therapy is not fully effective.
